What If? Books in Order

The series kicks off with a premise that many of us have secretly daydreamed about but would never actually dare to execute. It begins with What If?, introducing us to the chaotic and lovable Carly Cooper just as she hits the terrifying milestone of turning thirty in 1999. She is single, feeling stuck in a career that doesn't light her up, and is suddenly convinced that she has already met the love of her life—she just happened to break up with him.

Instead of moving forward, Carly decides to go back. Her solution is impulsive and completely relatable to anyone who has ever had a mid-life panic a few years early. She quits her steady job, packs a bag, and commits to a global mission to track down her top six ex-boyfriends. She is determined to find out if she let the perfect man slip through her fingers. It is a chaotic journey that takes her from the UK to far-flung destinations, hunting for closure. Along the way, she encounters the reality of who these men have become, leading to plenty of cringeworthy moments and laugh-out-loud mishaps.

It is a trip down memory lane filled with awkward reunions and the realization that the past isn't always how we remember it.

However, the real magic of this series lies in what happens after the credits usually roll. The story picks up a full twenty years later in the sequel, What Now?. Carly is fifty, and life looks very different. The shiny "happily ever after" she chased has developed some serious cracks. She is facing a crumbling marriage and an empty nest, feeling just as lost as she did decades ago. But Carly isn't one to sit around and accept defeat.

Once again, she rallies the troops. This chapter of the series highlights the unbreakable bond between Carly and her original gang of girlfriends. They aren't just background noise; they are the support system that makes life bearable. When Carly decides to head to Los Angeles to rediscover the wild spirit she thinks she lost, the girls are right there with her. It is a hilarious testament to friendships that survive marriage, kids, distance, and questionable decisions.

Shari Low captures the messy reality of relationships with a perfect blend of humor and heart. While the plot hooks you with romantic questions, the core of the series is about how our priorities shift over time. It explores the bittersweet feeling of looking back at your youth while trying to navigate the complexities of middle age. Low balances the emotional weight of divorce and identity crises with plenty of levity, usually involving a glass of wine and a disaster or two.

Ultimately, this is a story about second acts. Whether it is chasing love in the nineties or finding yourself in your fifties, Carly Cooper proves it is never too late to shake things up. It is honest, funny, and full of hope.